Axemen Make it 2-0 with Win Over Panthers

Acadia Hosts UPEI In Home Opener

The Acadia Axemen hockey club thrilled their fans in the 2013-14 season with a dream run that ended just short of their ultimate goal–another CIS championship banner. It’s now the start of the 2014-15 season, and this year’s Axemen are just as hungry.

After undergoing some roster turnover after last season, Acadia looked impressive in their first game of the season, a 4-0 win over the Dalhousie Tigers. On October 17, they welcomed the UPEI Panthers to the newly renamed Andrew H. McCain Arena in Wolfville. In their first game in Wolfville of the new campaign, Acadia defeated UPEI 3-1 in a game that went down to the wire.

The Axemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, with Alex Beaton and Travis Gibbons finding the net. The story of the period, however, was goaltender Brandon Glover. Glover made 12 saves in the frame, some of the spectacular variety. He weathered a five on three power play opportunity, kicked aside a two on one one time chance, and gave the Panthers fits all period long.

The Panther regrouped a bit in the second, managing to solve Glover once on a goal by Matthew Brenton. They drew within one goal, but couldn’t solve Glover again, despite several close calls. Acadia outshot UPEI by an 11-10 margin.

Both the Axemen and the Panthers traded power plays repeatedly in the third. Both Glover and Panthers’ goalie Mavric Parks were spectacular, as neither team was able to seize the advantage. In the dying minutes, it appeared as though the Panthers had managed to tie the game, but it was whistled down on an offside call. The game was up for grabs until Brett Thompson scored into an empty net to finally seal the win for Acadia. Acadia outshot UPEI 10-8 in the third.

Both teams failed to capitalize on the other’s lack of discipline. UPEI went 0 for 4 on their power play chances, while Acadia went 0 for 5.

Parks made 30 saves in a losing cause for the Panthers, while Glover stopped 30 of 31 shots.

The Axemen now prepare to take on the St. Thomas Tommies Saturday evening in Wolfville. Follow your Acadia Axemen on AVR as the legendary Len Hawley brings you the live play by play, or follow us on Twitter at @axemenhockey or @openingfaceoff for live in game tweets of the action! Game time is 7:00pm.

Game story submitted by Justin Halbersma - OpeningFaceOff.net